Security Council Demands End to All Actions Undermining Government in Yemen, Expresses Readiness to Consider ‘Article 41’ Measures if Necessary

Security Council Demands End to All Actions Undermining Government in Yemen,

Expresses Readiness to Consider ‘Article 41’ Measures if Necessary

The Security Council today demanded the cessation of all actions aimed at undermining Yemen’s Government of National Unity and political transition — such as attacks on oil, gas and electricity infrastructure, interference with the restructuring of the armed and security forces, and obstruction of implementation of presidential decrees — and expressed its readiness to consider further measures, including under the Charter’s Article 41, if such actions continued.

[Article 41 — outlined in Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter — empowers the Council to decide what measures not involving the use of armed force are to be employed to give effect to its decisions. These may include complete or partial interruption of economic relations and severance of diplomatic relations.]

By the text of resolution 2051 (2012), adopted unanimously, the Council called on all sides in Yemen immediately to reject the use of violence to achieve political goals and, at the same time, expressed concern at the growing number of attacks carried out or sponsored by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, and its determination to address that threat.

In accordance with the Implementation Mechanism set forth in the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative, the Council outlined the areas of focus for the second phase of the transition process, including the convening of an all-inclusive National Dialogue Conference, restructuring the security and armed forces under a unified professional national leadership, addressing transitional justice and supporting national reconciliation, and proceeding with constitutional and electoral reform, which included the holding of general elections by 2014.

Also by the text, the Council supported the efforts of President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi and the National Unity Government to further the transition process through security sector reform, changes to senior appointments in the security and armed forces, and launch of the preparatory process for convening the National Dialogue Conference. That Conference, it emphasized, must be transparent, and include youth and women’s groups.

By further terms, it noted with concern that children continued to be used by armed groups and certain elements of the military. It reminded the Government of the need to immediately release protesters unlawfully detained during the crisis, and urged that legislation on transitional justice be passed without further delay. All parties were called on to comply with international law.

Stressing that all those responsible for human rights violations be held accountable, the Council underlined the need for a comprehensive, independent and impartial investigation into alleged abuse, consistent with international standards.

For its part, the international community was encouraged to provide humanitarian assistance to Yemen, and all parties in Yemen were requested to facilitate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. Towards finalizing of the Government’s two-year development plan, the Council requested donors to support those efforts by contributing to the donor conference, to be held in Saudi Arabia later this month. It welcomed the political engagement of the United Nations through a small presence in Yemen, consisting of a team of experts to support implementation of the transition process and provide advice to the parties.

Speaking after the vote today, Yemen’s representative welcomed the text’s adoption, saying that, while his country had made significant progress, there were several challenges to overcome, not least of which was the deteriorating humanitarian situation, which augured a disaster that would impact food security in several regions. The situation of refugees and internally displaced persons must be addressed, especially amid electricity blackouts, and a lack of water, oil and household gas services, as well as health and hygiene facilities.

Further, Yemen’s security situation required more efforts, he said, notably to remove armed groups from towns and end divisions in the army. The national dialogue would exclude no one and proceed following the armed forces restructuring to ensure the emergence of a modern State with institutions based on liberty, justice and equality.

He said Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula posed a real threat to national stability, jeopardizing people’s ability to move freely and eek out a livelihood. Yemen needed help to strengthen its economy, as it would not be able to combat Al-Qaida by military force alone. Development, cultural and recovery programmes were needed, and the Government’s capacity to carry them out must be enhanced.

Similarly, he said the 1 million refugees from the Horn of Africa were an increasing burden, and he appealed to the international community to support Yemen’s economy. He welcomed the convening by the Friends of Yemen Group of a donors’ conference from 27 to 29 June in Saudi Arabia, which he hoped would meet the country’s economic and political needs. More than $7 billion was required.

The Security Council convened at 10:12 a.m. and adjourned at 10:22 a.m.

Resolution

The text of resolution 2051 (2012) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its resolution 2014 (2011) and presidential statement of 29 March 2012,

“Expressing grave concern at the political, security, economic and humanitarian situation in Yemen,

“Reaffirming its strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Yemen,

“Welcoming the Secretary-General’s statement of 21 May 2012 encouraging all sides to play a full and constructive role in implementing Yemen’s political Transition Agreement in accordance with Security Council resolution 2014,

“Noting the co-chairs’ statement following the Friends of Yemen Ministerial meeting in Riyadh on 23 May 2012 and the support expressed for the political Transition Agreement in accordance with the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism, including the proposal by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to host a donor meeting in late June 2012,

“Expressing grave concern at the security situation and continuing terrorist attacks, in particular by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, within Yemen, and reaffirming that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations;

“Condemning all terrorist, and other, attacks against civilians, oil, gas and electricity infrastructure and against the legitimate authorities, including those aimed at undermining the political process in Yemen, including the attack in Sana’a on 21 May 2012,

“Noting the formidable economic and social challenges confronting Yemen, which have left many Yemenis in acute need of humanitarian assistance,

“Welcoming the Government of National Unity’s focus on short-term stabilization of the economy through implementation of the IMF Rapid Credit Facility programme.

“Stressing that the best solution to the situation in Yemen is through a peaceful, inclusive, orderly and Yemeni-led political transition process that meets the legitimate demands and aspirations of the Yemeni people for peaceful change and meaningful political, economic and social reform, as set forth in the GCC Initiative and Implementation Mechanism and in resolution 2014 (2011),

“Recalling that the transition process requires the involvement and cooperation of all sides in Yemen, including groups that were not party to the GCC Initiative and its Implementation Mechanism,

“Expressing concern at the recent deterioration of cooperation among some political actors and actions that could adversely affect or delay the political transition process,

“Reiterating the need for comprehensive, independent and impartial investigations consistent with international standards into alleged human rights violations and abuses, to ensure full accountability,

“Welcoming the continuing engagement of the Secretary-General’s good offices including the visits to Yemen by his Special Adviser, Mr. Jamal Benomar,

“Mindful of its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security under the Charter of the United Nations, and emphasizing the need for progress in the implementation of the GCC Initiative and Implementation Mechanism to avoid further deterioration of the humanitarian and security situation in Yemen that threatens peace and security in the region,

“1. Reaffirms the need for the full and timely implementation of the GCC Initiative and Implementation Mechanism in accordance with resolution 2014 (2011);

“2. Calls upon all sides in Yemen immediately to reject the use of violence to achieve political goals;

“3. Notes that in line with the Implementation Mechanism the second phase of the transition process should focus on:

(a) convening an all-inclusive National Dialogue Conference,

(b) restructuring of the security and armed forces under a unified professional national leadership structure and the ending of all armed conflicts,

(c) steps to address transitional justice and to support national reconciliation,

(d) constitutional and electoral reform and the holding of general elections by February 2014;

“4. Supports the efforts of President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi and the Government of National Unity to move the transition process forward, including through security sector reform and changes in senior appointments in the security and armed forces, and the launch of the preparatory process for convening the National Dialogue Conference;

“5. Emphasizes the importance of conducting a fully inclusive, participatory, transparent and meaningful National Dialogue Conference including with the youth and women’s groups and calls upon all stakeholders in Yemen to participate actively and constructively in this process;

“6. Demands the cessation of all actions aimed at undermining the Government of National Unity and the political transition, including continued attacks on oil, gas and electricity infrastructure, and interference with decisions relating to the restructuring of the armed and security forces, and obstructing the implementation of the Presidential Decrees of 6 April 2012 concerning military and civilian appointments, and expresses its readiness to consider further measures, including under Article 41 of the UN Charter if such actions continue;

“7. Stresses that all those responsible for human rights violations and abuses must be held accountable, and underlining the need for a comprehensive, independent and impartial investigation consistent with international standards into alleged human rights abuses and violations, to prevent impunity and ensure full accountability;

“8. Notes with concern that children continue to be recruited and used by armed groups and certain elements of the military, and calls for continued national efforts to discourage the use and recruitment of child soldiers;

“9. Reminds the Yemeni Government and other actors of the need to release immediately those protesters unlawfully detained during the crisis;

“10. Urges the Yemeni Government to pass legislation on transitional justice to support reconciliation without further delay;

“11. Calls on all parties to comply with applicable international law including international humanitarian law and human rights law;

“12. Calls for the international community, including the United Nations and GCC, in particular through the Friends of Yemen, to provide active and increasing support to help the Yemeni Government meet the forthcoming political, security, economic and humanitarian challenges;

“13. Encourages the international community to provide humanitarian assistance to Yemen and calls for the full funding of the 2012 Humanitarian Response Plan, and in this regard requests all parties in Yemen to facilitate safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to ensure the delivery of assistance to populations in need;

“14. Emphasizes the importance of Government of National Unity finalizing and agreeing on their two-year development plan to set out priority policy areas and funding modalities, as well as to identify key areas for reform, and requests all donors to support the development plan through established funding modalities and to contribute to the forthcoming donor conference;

“15. Expresses its concern over the growing number of attacks carried out or sponsored by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, and its determination to address this threat in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law including applicable human rights, refugee and humanitarian law;

“16. Requests the Secretary-General to continue his good offices role, including through the efforts of his Special Adviser, Jamal Benomar, stresses the importance of their close coordination with international partners in order to contribute to the successful transition in Yemen, and in this regard welcomes the political engagement of the United Nations through a small presence in Yemen consisting of a team of experts to support the implementation of the transition process, and to provide advice to the parties in conjunction with the Government of Yemen, in particular in support of the National Dialogue process;

“17. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to coordinate assistance from the international community in support of the National Dialogue and transition, as stipulated in the Implementation Mechanism of the GCC Initiative;

“18. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to report on developments in Yemen every 60 days;

“19. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

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For information media • not an official record

For information media. Not an official record.

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Daily Noon Briefing

The Secretary-General is in Kuwait, where he will participate in the third pledging conference for Syria. Earlier today, he visited Baghdad, where he met with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, President Fuad Masum and Speaker Saleem al-Jabouri. He also spoke by phone with President Massoud Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government.